Not a Camouflaged Soul

Category: Faith

  • Spoiled

    Much of what I do during church is in the realm of the senses. Specifically, how things during a worship service look and sound. So, naturally, if little things go wrong, I take exception.

    This past Sunday, the computer locked up and some of the words to one of the songs didn’t appear on the screens. We got through it, but I couldn’t help wishing that it did not happen.

    A buzz in the monitor.

    Out of tune notes.

    Lights that are too dim or too bright.

    Typos in the sermon PowerPoint.

    All, if I’m not careful, tend to annoy me.

    And the fact that these things have the potential to annoy me, well, annoys me, because it shows how spoiled I am.

    When I think of the house churches and other gatherings of believers around the world that meet in living rooms, huts, basements… no musical instruments or PA systems… no padded pews or AC/heat… no Bibles…meeting in secret because persecution, prison, or death is a real possibility… I can’t help but repent. Repent, and pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

    Anybody else spoiled? Anybody think those scenarios CAN’T happen here?

    Voice of the Martyrs website

  • Bad Sunday

    I once heard it said that, when performing music, there are no mistakes: there are only unintended improvisations. Well, a few Sundays back, I improvised a lot.

    Woke up late. Began worship with my sheet music out of order. Had my volume pedal all the way down on my guitar which caused me to miss the first beat of the first song. Missed a few lyrics. Couldn’t even buy a vowel when talking to the congregation.

    It happens. One thing I have learned from being a musician for so many years is that there are no perfect performances. You learn from mistakes and move on, and try to do better next time.

    Still, I sometimes feel that, because I am singing to Him, for Him, and about Him that I will supernaturally overcome my humanity every time I take my mic in hand.

    Vanity? Maybe. Caring? Yes. Perfectionism? When it pertains to God, not a bad standard, provided it’s coupled with the understanding that you’ll never get there.

    But messing up never stops stinging. And when one is in ministry, you feel like your letting God down if things don’t go just right.

    Then, by the grace of God, I heard something I needed to hear. It was a podcast of Dr. Ergun Caner preaching during Campus Church at Liberty University. He was praising the worship team during the introduction of his message, and he told a story of a picture his youngest son drew for him. While the drawing was not destined to hang in a museum, it was priceless to him.

    That, he related, is the way God views our worship.

    By omnipotent standards, our offerings of worship are mighty frail. We flounder around, lacking focus. But it isn’t the quality or professionalism of what we offer so much as it is the heart of the child of God that offers the adoration that matters to it’s Recipient.

    I’m simply humbled that I get to glorify Him in my uniquely flawed, specifically pathetic way. He’s worthy of more than I can produce. And knowing that makes me feel strangely secure.

    (By the way, check out what my boy drew for me. Cool, right?)

  • Testimony

    This is an updated version of a post from NoCamo 1.0 on December 28, 2009.

    I feel like, in many ways, this entire website is my testimony. Every thing I write is because my God was gracious enough to send His Son to die for me, and He gives me every reason to proclaim Him.

    But I feel led, for the first time on NoCamo, to tell HOW He saved me.

    I accepted Christ in July of 1981 at my mother’s bedside. I was five years old. I felt the Holy Spirit’s tug on my heart during church one night at the small, independent Baptist church my family attended in Flatwoods, KY. I was too afraid to go up to the front with everyone watching.

    A few nights later, I couldn’t sleep. I knew I needed to be saved. I went in to my mother’s bedroom (I believe my father was at work. He was a railroad engineer.). She led me to Christ. I was baptized a few months later.

    That night began a walk with Jesus that, in spite of me, continues to this day. I have made plenty of missteps along the way, and proven many times that I am unable to earn salvation through good works.

    Jesus forgave me of all my sins. He made me a new creation. I know without a doubt that I have a home in heaven waiting for me, and I cannot wait to see my Savior face to face.

    How about you? Do you know Jesus? Has there ever been a time when you accepted Him as your Savior?

    A new year is coming (some say a new decade, but that is a discussion for another day). But none of us are guaranteed the opportunity to see it. Today will be the last day of life for some. And, possibly any minute now, Jesus will split the Eastern sky and take His children home.

    Today is the day to accept Christ. Proverbs 27:1 tells us not to boast about what we’ll do tomorrow. Make the best decision you could ever make. Begin your eternal life today.

    If you need someone to talk to, please email me. Also, check out the About Him page.